The Dodgers signed Vicente Padilla to a one-year deal, the team announced today. The right-hander, who was nearing a $2MM deal with the Dodgers earlier in the week, has passed his physical. WMG represents Padilla.
The Dodgers already have Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Ted Lilly, Hiroki Kuroda and Jon Garland, so Padilla figures to be a swingman for manager Don Mattingly. That versatility appealed to Dodgers GM Ned Colletti.
“Vicente’s flexibility and willingness to be in whatever role we may need him in was very important to us,” Colletti said in a statement. “We believe he is capable of filling practically any role on our staff and we are very glad to have him back.”
The 33-year-old missed time with forearm and neck injuries in 2010, but still managed a respectable season. Padilla posted a 4.07 ERA with 8.0 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 in 95 innings.
